VICP Registry Case Source Bundle
Canonical URL: https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00501
Package ID: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00501
Petitioner: James Hollinger
Filed: 2023-04-12
Decided: 2025-11-12
Vaccine: influenza
Vaccination date: 2020-10-20
Condition: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
Outcome: compensated
Award amount USD: 568405.52

AI-assisted case summary:
On April 12, 2023, James Hollinger filed a petition alleging that an influenza vaccination administered on October 20, 2020 caused Guillain-Barre syndrome. Mr. Hollinger died on November 3, 2023, and his sons, John Hollinger and Mark Hollinger, were appointed as personal representatives of his estate.

Respondent conceded entitlement. The Rule 4(c) report agreed that the case satisfied the Vaccine Injury Table and Qualifications and Aids to Interpretation for GBS after seasonal influenza vaccination: onset occurred between three and forty-two days after vaccination, and there was no apparent alternative cause. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran found entitlement on February 13, 2024. The public entitlement ruling does not describe Mr. Hollinger's first neurologic symptoms, hospitalization, diagnostic testing, treatment, rehabilitation, or the circumstances of his later death.

After entitlement was granted, respondent filed a proffer and the estate representatives agreed to the award. On November 12, 2025, the Chief Special Master awarded $568,405.52 as a lump sum through counsel's IOLTA account. The award consisted of $212,700.00 for past pain and suffering, $212,891.52 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $142,814.00 for past lost wages. The decision noted that documentation of John and Mark Hollinger's representative capacity had been provided. Petitioners were represented by Bridget Candace McCullough of Muller Brazil, LLP.

Theory of causation field:
Adult/decedent James Hollinger; influenza vaccine October 20, 2020; Table GBS; died November 3, 2023, sons John and Mark Hollinger as estate representatives. COMPENSATED. Respondent conceded Table GBS: onset 3-42 days after flu vaccine and no apparent alternative cause. Entitlement Feb. 13, 2024; damages Nov. 12, 2025. Award $568,405.52 = $212,700 pain/suffering + $212,891.52 expenses + $142,814 lost wages. Petition filed April 12, 2023. Attorney: Bridget Candace McCullough.

Public staged source text:

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DOCUMENT 1: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00501-0
Date issued/filed: 2024-03-15
Pages: 2
Docket text: PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 02/13/2024) regarding 23 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00501-UNJ Document 24 Filed 03/15/24 Page 1 of 2
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-0501V
JOHN HOLLINGER AND MARK
HOLLINGER,
Personal Representatives of the Estate
Of JAMES HOLLINGER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: February 13, 2024
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Bridget Candace McCullough, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Julianna Rose Kober, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
RULING ON ENTITLEMENT1
On April 12, 2023, James Hollinger (Mr. Hollinger”) filed a petition for
compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C.
§300aa-10, et seq.2 (the “Vaccine Act”), alleging that he suffered from Guillain-Barré
syndrome (“GBS”), a Table injury, as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received
on October 20, 2020. Petition at 1. On November 3, 2023, Mr. Hollinger passed away,
and his sons, John Hollinger and Mark Hollinger (together, “Petitioners”) were appointed
as administrators of his estate. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of
the Office of Special Masters.
1 Because this unpublished Ruling contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must
be made publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website,
and/or at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-
Government Act of 2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic
Government Services). This means the Ruling will be available to anyone with access to the internet.
In accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or
other information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon
review, I agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public
access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C.
§300aa (2018).

Case 1:23-vv-00501-UNJ Document 24 Filed 03/15/24 Page 2 of 2
On February 13, 2024, Respondent filed his Rule 4(c) report in which he concedes
that Petitioners are entitled to compensation in this case. Respondent’s Rule 4(c) Report
at 1. Specifically, Respondent agrees that Petitioners have satisfied the criteria set forth
in the effective Vaccine Injury Table (“Table”) and the Qualifications and Aids to
Interpretation (“QAI”), which afford Petitioners a presumption of causation if the onset of
GBS occurs between three and forty-two days after a seasonal flu vaccination and there
is no apparent alternative cause. Id. at 10 - 11 (citing 42 C.F.R. §§ 100.3(a)(XIV)(D),
(c)(15)).
In view of Respondent’s position and the evidence of record, I find that
Petitioners are entitled to compensation.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
2

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DOCUMENT 2: USCOURTS-cofc-1_23-vv-00501-1
Date issued/filed: 2025-12-15
Pages: 5
Docket text: PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 11/12/2025) regarding 57 DECISION Stipulation/Proffer Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.
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Case 1:23-vv-00501-UNJ Document 61 Filed 12/15/25 Page 1 of 5
In the United States Court of Federal Claims
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
No. 23-0501V
JOHN HOLLINGER AND MARK
HOLLINGER,
Personal Representatives of the Estate
Of JAMES HOLLINGER, Chief Special Master Corcoran
Petitioner,
v. Filed: November 12, 2025
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
Bridget Candace McCullough, Muller Brazil, LLP, Dresher, PA, for Petitioner.
Julianna Rose Kober, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC, for Respondent.
DECISION ON DAMAGES1
On April 12, 2023, James Hollinger (Mr. Hollinger”) filed a petition for
compensation under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, 42 U.S.C.
§300aa-10, et seq.2 (the “Vaccine Act”), alleging that he suffered from Guillain-Barré
syndrome (“GBS”), a Table injury, as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine he received
on October 20, 2020. Petition at 1. On November 3, 2023, Mr. Hollinger passed away.
His sons, John Hollinger and Mark Hollinger (together, “Petitioners”) were appointed as
administrators of his estate. The case was assigned to the Special Processing Unit of the
Office of Special Masters.
1 Because this Decision contains a reasoned explanation for the action taken in this case, it must be made
publicly accessible and will be posted on the United States Court of Federal Claims' website, and/or at
https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/uscourts/national/cofc, in accordance with the E-Government Act of
2002. 44 U.S.C. § 3501 note (2018) (Federal Management and Promotion of Electronic Government
Services). This means the Decision will be available to anyone with access to the internet. In
accordance with Vaccine Rule 18(b), Petitioner has 14 days to identify and move to redact medical or other
information, the disclosure of which would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy. If, upon review, I
agree that the identified material fits within this definition, I will redact such material from public access.
2 National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, Pub. L. No. 99-660, 100 Stat. 3755. Hereinafter, for ease
of citation, all section references to the Vaccine Act will be to the pertinent subparagraph of 42 U.S.C.
§ 300aa (2018).

Case 1:23-vv-00501-UNJ Document 61 Filed 12/15/25 Page 2 of 5
On February 13, 2024, a Ruling on Entitlement was issued, finding Petitioners
entitled to compensation for Mr. Hollinger suffering a Table flu/GBS injury.
On October 28, 2025, Respondent filed a Proffer on award of compensation
(“Proffer”). Respondent represented that Petitioners agree with the proffered award. Id.
at 2-3.3 Based on the record as a whole, I find that Petitioners are entitled to an award as
stated in the Proffer.
Pursuant to the terms stated in the attached proffer, Petitioners are awarded a
lump sum of $568,405.52 (representing $212,700.00 for past pain and suffering,
$212,891.52 for past unreimbursable expenses, and $142,814.00 for past lost
wages) to be paid through an ACH deposit to Petitioners’ counsel’s IOLTA account
for prompt disbursement to Petitioners. This amount represents compensation for all
damages that would be available under Section 15(a). Proffer at 2.
The Clerk of Court is directed to enter judgment in accordance with this decision.4
IT IS SO ORDERED.
s/Brian H. Corcoran
Brian H. Corcoran
Chief Special Master
3 Respondent stated that evidence of Petitioners’ representative capacity was required. Proffer filed Oct.
28, 2025 (ECF No. 53) at 3. Petitioners then filed their Exhibit 44 – Certificate of Grant Letters on Nov. 3,
2025 (ECF No. 55). Respondent then stated that he believes that the additional documentation in Ex. 44 is
sufficient, and that Respondent does not intend to file a revised Proffer. Joint Status Report filed Nov. 12,
2025 (ECF No. 56).
4 Pursuant to Vaccine Rule 11(a), entry of judgment can be expedited by the parties’ joint filing of notice
renouncing the right to seek review.
2

Case 1:23-vv-00501-UNJ Document 61 Filed 12/15/25 Page 3 of 5
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS
JOHN HOLLINGER AND MARK
HOLLINGER, Personal Representatives of the
Estate of JAMES HOLLINGER,
Petitioner, No. 23-501V
Chief Special Master Corcoran
v. ECF
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES,
Respondent.
RESPONDENT’S PROFFER ON AWARD OF COMPENSATION
On April 13, 2023, James Hollinger (“decedent” or “Mr. Hollinger”) filed a petition for
compensation under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, as amended (“the
Vaccine Act” or “the Act”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 300aa-1 to -34. On November 3, 2023, Mr. Hollinger
passed away and his sons, John Hollinger and Mark Hollinger (together, “petitioners”) were
appointed as administrators of his estate.1 ECF No. 21. The petition alleges that the decedent
suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome (“GBS”) as a result of an influenza (“flu”) vaccine
administered to him on October 20, 2020. Petition (“Pet.”) at 1.
On February 13, 2024, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“respondent”) filed
a Rule 4(c) Report indicating that this case is appropriate for compensation under the terms of
the Act for a GBS Table injury, and that same day, the Chief Special Master issued a Ruling on
Entitlement finding petitioner entitled to compensation. ECF No. 22; ECF No. 23.
1 On January 29, 2024, petitioners filed a motion to amend the caption in this case. ECF No. 20.
On January 31, 2024, the Court granted petitioners’ motion. ECF No. 21.

Case 1:23-vv-00501-UNJ Document 61 Filed 12/15/25 Page 4 of 5
I. Items of Compensation
Based upon the evidence of record, respondent proffers that petitioners should be
awarded the following:
A. Pain and Suffering
Respondent proffers that petitioners should be awarded $212,700.00 in pain and
suffering, as legal representative of Mr. Hollinger’s estate. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(4).
Petitioners agree.
B. Past Unreimbursable Expenses
Evidence supplied by petitioners documents that Mr. Hollinger incurred past
unreimbursable expenses related to his vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that
petitioners should be awarded past unreimbursable expenses in the amount of $212,891.52. See
42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(1)(B). Petitioners agree.
C. Lost Earnings
Evidence supplied by petitioners documents that Mr. Hollinger incurred lost earnings
related to his vaccine-related injury. Respondent proffers that petitioners should be awarded past
lost wages in the amount of $142,814.00. See 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a)(3)(A). Petitioners agree.
These amounts represent all elements of compensation to which petitioners are entitled
under 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-15(a). Petitioners agree.
II. Form of the Award
Respondent recommends that compensation provided to petitioners should be made
through a lump sum payment as described below and requests that the Chief Special Master’s
decision and the Court’s judgment award the following: a lump sum payment of $568,405.52 to
2

Case 1:23-vv-00501-UNJ Document 61 Filed 12/15/25 Page 5 of 5
be paid through an ACH deposit to petitioners’ counsel’s IOLTA account for prompt
disbursement to petitioners.
Evidence of petitioners’ representative capacity is required, and no payments pursuant to
this Proffer shall be made until petitioners provide the Secretary with documentation establishing
their appointment as legal representatives of Mr. Hollinger’s estate.2 Petitioners agree.
Respectfully submitted,
BRETT A. SHUMATE
Assistant Attorney General
C. SALVATORE D'ALESSIO
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
HEATHER L. PEARLMAN
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
COLLEEN C. HARTLEY
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division
/s/ Julianna R. Kober
Julianna R. Kober
Trial Attorney
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146
Tel: (202) 742-6375
Julianna.R.Kober@usdoj.gov
DATED: October 28, 2025
2 If petitioners are not authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as legal
representative of decedent’s estate at the time a payment pursuant to this Proffer is to be made,
any such payment shall be paid to the party or parties appointed by a court of competent
jurisdiction to serve as legal representative of decedent’s estate upon submission of written
documentation of such appointment to the Secretary.
3